Amusement device



B. C. CORBETT.

AMUSEMENT DEVICE.

APPLICATION r1150 APR. 12. 1913. RENEWED JAN. 11, 1915.

Patented Aug. 22, 1916.

BNNIE C. 605 557"? HIE Nomm Farm: 1:11.. rNnm-Lnna Jasmlumn, n cy ENTQFIGEQ IBENN IE C. CORBETT, OF CANON GI'IY, COLORADO, ASSIGNOR TO ELIBRIDGE COMPANY, OF ROODHOUSE, ILLINOIS.

AMUSEMENT DEVICE.

Application filed April 12, 1913, Serial No. 760,818. Renewed January17, 1916.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I BENNIE C. CORBETT, a citizen of the United States,residing at Canon City, in the county of Fremont and State of Colorado,have invented new and useful Improvements in Amusement Devices, of whichthe following is a specification. 7

This invention relates to amusement devices and has to do moreparticularly with the improvements in amusement target apparatus inwhich projectiles are thrown toward a target or object by the player.

More particularly, the invention contemplates a series of moving targetsor objects adapted to be disposed behind a shelter or shield wall whichis provided with openings relative to which the targets are moved intoand out of exposed positions.

When the apparatus is employed in the form of an amusement device, Iprovide targets or objects in the form of comic automatons which aremoved into and out of exposed positions and are hinged or pivotallymounted so as to swing from a normal position or plane when struck by athrown projectile, it being one of the features of my invention torestore such automaton to a normal position, preferably, upon movementthereof to a concealed position.

The device of my invention will be more fully described in connectionwith the ac companying drawing and will be more particularly pointed outin and by the appended claims.

In the drawing :Figure 1, is a front elevation of the device of myinvention with the structure shown to simulate the front of a house.Fig. 2, is a rear view thereof. Fig. 3, is a detail edge view, partly insection, illustrating a constructional feature of my invention.

Like characters of reference designate similar parts throughout thedifferent figures of the drawing.

As illustrated, -1 designates a wall shield or shelter for the targetswhich may be constructed and decorated to simulate the appearance of asimple form of dwelling, openings in the form of windows being indicatedat 2, 3, 4L and 5. When the device of my invention is used for amusementpurposes, in parks or the like, the wall shield l is set back at asuitable distance from the front of the usual fenced or roped inclos-Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 22, 1916.

Serial No. 72,647.

ure, from which point the player stands when throwing balls or otherprojectiles toward the shield.

Behind the shield 1, I dispose a plurality of automatons designated asG, 7 8, and 5 which are adapted to be moved into and out of exposedpositions with respect to the window openings 2, 3, 4 and 5,respectively. The automatons may be decorated and and shaped orproportioned in any comic or grotesque manner desired in accordance withthe conditions under which the device of the invention is used.

Each automaton may be mounted upon a stem or bar 10, as indicated inFig. 3, and I preferably movably or hingedly mount the automaton on suchbar, as indicated at 11 so that when the player strikes one of theobjects or automatons with a ball or projectile it will be deflected orswung on its hinge from a normal position, as indicated in full lines at12, to the dotted line position as indicated at 13, so as to clearlyindicate to the proprietor and to the player, that a ball or projectilehas struck the figure, the arrangement being such that the successfulthrow is indicated while the automaton is abreast of its particularopening. On movement of the figures or automatons from exposed toconcealed positions, with respect to said openings, I provide means,preferably acting automatically, to restore the automatons to theirnormal positions. As illustrated, said means may consist, for eachautomaton, of a stop in the form of a bar or arm 14 having a roller 15at its upper end. On movement of the automaton toward said stop thedeflected or backwardly disposed figure will strike the roller 15, asindicated in Fig. 3, and upon completion of movement of said figure theroller 15 will cause the same'to assume an upright position coincidentwith the plane of the bar or stem 10 so that upon subsequent movement ofthe automaton, into an exposed position, it will stand abreast of itsopening.

Guiding means are provided to guide the automatons in their movementtoward and from exposed positions, and as shown, such means may comprisea base 16, which may be secured to the shield wall 1, and in which maybe swiveled a strap-guide 17 the guide 17 having a shank 18 rotativelymounted in the base 16, a nut 19, with washer 20, serving to hold theguide 17 in place. The bar 10 slides in the guide 17 and the stop 14:may conveniently be mounted upon the guide 17 so as always to move withand lie parallel with the bar 10. Mechanism is provided for oscillatingand reciprocating said automatons into and out of exposed po sitions,and as shown, the end of each bar 10 is pivotally connected at 21, witha rotatable member which may be in the form of a belt or chain wheel 22,23, 24 and 25, one being provided for each figure or automaton. A. beltor chain 26 is trained about said wheels and is guided by idlers 27.Movement is imparted to said belt 26 by a wheel 28, mounted on shaft 29,on which latter a larger wheel 80 is also mounted and is beltd to awheel 31, of a motor or like prime mover 32.

The automatons may be connected with the wheels 22 to 24, so as to beprojected or moved into exposed positions in any desired order, thearrangement shown being such that the figures'are exposed consecutively,as regards extreme positions, one being partially exposed in itsapproach to an exposing position before the preceding figure is entirelyremoved from an exposed position. By connecting the bars 10 at differentradial points on the wheels, a period of exposure may be obtained and adifferent timing of exposure may be effected both as regards the periodof exposure of each automaton, and alsothe relative exposure of one withrespect to the other. As shown in Fig. 2, additional holes 22, 23 and 25are provided so that any desired adjustment can be made.

It will be readily understood from the foregoing and by reference toFig. 2, that while the path of travel of the automatons throughout theirexposed positions, is a fixed path of travel, still, they do not move instraight lines but rather in constantly chan ing directions due to thefact that the wheels not only reciprocate but also oscillate the bars 10in the guide 17. Thus it will be seen that the player will not only haveto throw quickly but he will also have to throw to a target objecthaving a constantly changing course or path of movement, it beingunderstood that the rate of speed may be readily increased in case theplayers become too successful in hitting the figures. It will also beunderstood that the belt 26 maybe shifted with respect to the wheels 22to 25, or vice versa, so as to change the timing of exposure of oneautomaton figure with respect to the other, the radial holes in thewheels providing means for increasing or decreasing the perlods ofexposure, thereby providing in a single unitary structure an almostinfinite adjustment and thereby affording a variety of action'sufficientto meet any reasonable demand. 7

While I have herein shown and described one specific embodiment of myinvention I do not wish to be limited thereto except for suchlimitations as the claims may import.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. A moving targetapparatus comprising in combination, a target shield wall provided withopenings therein, hinged targets on one side. of said wall adapted to bemoved or deflected on their hinges when struck by a projectile passingthrough one of said openings, mechanism for moving said targets fromexposed to concealed positions relative to said openings, and devicesmovable with said targets for restoring deflected or struck targets intotheir normal positions upon movement of said targets into concealedpositions, substantially as described.

2. A moving target apparatus comprising in combination, a target shieldprovided with openings therein, targets on one side of said shield,oscillatable guides for said targets, and mechanism for oscillating andreciprocating said targets in said guides to effect movement of saidtargets into and out of exposed positions with respect to said openings,substantially as described.

3. In a target structure, a shield provided with an opening, a guide, afixed pivot movably supporting said guide, a target movably supported.in said movable guide and means for actuating said target to shift thesame into exposed and concealed positions with respect to said opening,substantially as described.

4:. In a moving target, a fixed shieldprovided with an opening, atarget, a movable guide for said target, and rotary means connected withsaid target for shifting the same in its guide into exposed andconcealed po sitions with respect to said opening, sub stantially asdescribed.

5. In a target structure, a shield provided with an opening, a target, amovably supported guide for supporting said target during movementthereof, and means for actuating said target to shift the same intoconcealed and exposed positions with respect to said opening,substantially as described.

BENNIE C, CORBETT.

Witnesses:

eosnrrr L. CHENAULT, 7 P. O. WI-IELAN,

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G.

